u/p4wlina

I’m really scared and hoping someone has experienced something similar.

About a month ago, I stopped Zoloft (sertraline) after tapering slowly. Since then, I’ve developed a strange problem where swallowing liquids has become very difficult.

Symptoms:

•	Liquids (especially water) are much harder to swallow than solid food

•	Pills are also difficult to swallow

•	It feels like the swallow reflex doesn’t start properly

•	Sometimes liquid just sits in my mouth and I can’t initiate the swallow

•	Sometimes I cough or choke a little

•	I occasionally feel “bubbles” moving in my esophagus after trying to swallow

•	It tends to be better in the morning and gets worse as the day goes on

•	Bromazepam sometimes helps

•	I’m extremely anxious and emetophobic (very afraid of vomiting)

I do NOT have:

•	Difficulty swallowing solid food

•	Obvious heartburn

•	Other neurological symptoms

This has become so distressing that I’m afraid to drink water or take medication.

Has anyone experienced:

•	Difficulty swallowing liquids but not solids?

•	A sensation that the swallow reflex just won’t trigger?

•	Symptoms after stopping an SSRI like Zoloft?

•	Improvement with anti-anxiety medication?

What was the cause, and what helped? Did it turn out to be functional dysphagia, reflux, esophageal spasm, or something else?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who recovered, because right now this feels terrifying.

I’m really scared and hoping someone has experienced something similar.

About a month ago, I stopped Zoloft (sertraline) after tapering slowly. Since then, I’ve developed a strange problem where swallowing liquids has become very difficult.

Symptoms:

•	Liquids (especially water) are much harder to swallow than solid food

•	Pills are also difficult to swallow

•	It feels like the swallow reflex doesn’t start properly

•	Sometimes liquid just sits in my mouth and I can’t initiate the swallow

•	Sometimes I cough or choke a little

•	I occasionally feel “bubbles” moving in my esophagus after trying to swallow

•	It tends to be better in the morning and gets worse as the day goes on

•	Bromazepam sometimes helps

•	I’m extremely anxious and emetophobic (very afraid of vomiting)

I do NOT have:

•	Difficulty swallowing solid food

•	Obvious heartburn

•	Other neurological symptoms

This has become so distressing that I’m afraid to drink water or take medication.

Has anyone experienced:

•	Difficulty swallowing liquids but not solids?

•	A sensation that the swallow reflex just won’t trigger?

•	Symptoms after stopping an SSRI like Zoloft?

•	Improvement with anti-anxiety medication?

What was the cause, and what helped? Did it turn out to be functional dysphagia, reflux, esophageal spasm, or something else?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who recovered, because right now this feels terrifying.